See through plastic roofing paper system

ABSTRACT

This embodiment specifically pertains to the field of roofing to find roof leaks or problems fast and easy. This idea and components can find the exact location of a leak in a matter of seconds by simply looking through the paper. See-through paper can turn a do-it-yourselfer into a professional instantly to find leaks from water, gas, or related roofing problems or any roof; flat or pitched. This two layer system, plastic (clear) (FIG.  1 ) and blotter-paper (FIG.  2 ), allows leaks to finally be seen as they happen and will stop them in their tracks. Optionally wireless pressure sensitive pads (FIG.  3 ) alerts owners of buildings or authorities to IPhones or laptop computers of fires, sparks, or intruders. A repair kit (FIG.  4 ) allows amateurs or professionals to seal and repair roof leaks. Kit includes caulking, clear adhesive, 2 hand rollers, and one pointy trowel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of roofing, and moreSpecifically to the field of determining damage sources of roof leaks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art has put forth several designs for determining damagesources of of roof leaks. Among these are:

U.S. Pat. No. 5,081,422 to Ishiang Shih describes a method to detectleaks in a roof or leaks in basement walls or floors of a building. Thedetection is achieved by placing a two wire detector in the region to bemonitored and measuring the current with a voltage applied across thetwo wires. The location of the leak is determined by placing severalwire detector pairs in a mesh fashion and then scanning the leakagecurrent through each wire pair. A complete detection and scanning systemis also described.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,748,847 to James P. Sheahan describes a method ofdetecting leaks in a multilayered roof system comprising injecting atracer gas and a propellant gas under a water impermeable membrane of amulti layered roof system and detecting any escape of the tracer gas onthe surface of the roof, which detection is indicative of a break oropening in the water-impermeable membrane.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,598,273 to Bynum O. Bryan Jr. and Earl Seagravedescribes a moisture intrusion detection system wherein a plurality ofindependent and insular moisture detecting devices are placed in apredetermined spaced apart relationship across the surface of a roofstructure, or other system incorporating a water impermeable membrane,beneath the water impermeable membrane thereof. Each of the detectingdevices includes a moisture detecting and power supply component andsignaling component. When moisture penetrates the water impermeablemembrane of the roof structure, a leak condition exists and a wateractivated battery is activated. Each detecting device in contact withwater is activated. In combination with the detecting devices, positionand direction locator apparatus are used in combination with thedetecting devices to localize the source of the leak and the extent ofany water damage caused thereby.

None of these prior art references describe the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a roofing repair kitspecifically configured to detect an exact location of a leak andprovide an instantly accessible means of correcting the problem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a prototypical standalone view of a component of the presentinvention, a strong sheet of plastic paper which is thin andtransparent.

FIG. 2 is a prototypical standalone view of a component of the presentinvention, a wireless sensor pad that is pressure sensitive.

FIG. 3 is a prototypical standalone view of a component of the presentinvention, a roll of a white blotter paper that is an absorbentmaterial.

FIG. 4 is a prototypical view of included accessories for the presentinvention such as a nonflammable adhesive, two tubes of silicone, atrowel, a sticher and a hand roller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Most homeowners agree that a sound and a leak proof roof is a crucialfactor in a structure of any building or home. Providing ampleprotection from elements such as rain, snow, sleet and sun, a wellconstructed roof ensures that family members and personal belongings aresheltered from such elements in a safe and secure manner. Regardless ofwhether one's roof is covered in split wood tiles or slate shingles,most roofs inevitably and eventually demand repair or replacement.Whether a small leak caused by deterioration in underlayment, a majorgape in the roof resulting from a severe storm or overall damage causedby years of exposure, work on repairing or replacing an existing roofcannot be started until old or damaged roofing materials are removed anddiscarded. Many owners need to repair a roof but are unaware of the needuntil it is too late. Undetected damage typically happens when smallpunctures have compromised the roof due to weather related mishaps orage and sometimes by unscrupulous contractors who surreptitiously punchholes into a roof to ensure future business. The source of suchpunctures are extremely difficult to find even by professional roofersand costly damage can occur before the need for repair is even detected.

The present invention, hereinafter referred to as the See ThroughPlastic Roofing Paper System, is a roofing repair kit specificallyconfigured to detect an exact location of a leak and provide aninstantly accessible means of correcting the problem. The See ThroughPlastic Roofing Paper System provides homeowners as well asprofessionals with an easier, more effective means of addressingpotentially destructive roof leaks. The See Through Plastic RoofingPaper System is comprised of a transparent plastic paper and whiteblotting paper components. When covering a roof in planned combination,these papers detect and pinpoint the exact location of a leak.Approximately two tubes of clear caulking, two cans of adhesive, atrowel, a hand roller and a stitcher are included in the kit of thepresent invention to facilitate correcting the leak instantaneously onthe spot. Optionally, this system includes wireless, pressure sensitivepads which, when secured under the roofing paper, effectively detectroof leaks, a fire or sparks, an animal or intruder on the roof, andalert the occupants or authorities.

A preferred embodiment of the See Through Plastic Roofing Paper Systemcomprises a standard roofing repair kit of particularly combinedcomponents that are used to locate and repair roof damage. The primarycomponent of the standard kit is a nonflammable, strong and thick,noncracking, plastic roofing paper that is a flat sheet for residentialuse and a corrugated sheet for commercial use. Transparent plasticsheeting available in rolls, these sheets are backed with a static clingor adhesive material that enables the sheets to securely adhere to thesurface of the roof Once applied, a home or professional user quicklydetects the location of the leak or leaks. The user utilizes one of thetubes of chalking provided in the kit to facilitate the repair. Whiteblotter paper is included to test the patch for any further leaks ordiscover new ones. This kit is complete with two cans of adhesive, asmall knife, a trowel, a sticher and a hand roller for flattening thepaper as it is applied to the surface of the roof.

An alternate embodiment of the See Through Plastic Roofing Paper Systemis expanded to present an electronically enhanced detection system. Thestandard kit described in the preferred embodiment is augmented with aseries of small, ultrathin, wireless sensors that are sensitive topressure. These waterproof and step resistant sensor pads are placedunderneath the plastic roofing paper at intervals of approximately twofeet. These sensors alert homeowners whenever a puncture or appliedpressure has occurred as well as detect or any formation of leakingress. The alert information is relayed to a receiver in the form of aliquid crystal display or LCD screen. These sensors also function indetecting a person or animal walking on the roof and can be connectedinto an existing security alarm system to alert the building owner andauthorities.

An expanded embodiment of the present invention includes allaforementioned functionalities with an addition of heat detecting sensorpads that are installable in crawl spaces for the purpose of early firedetection. An expanded embodiment of the present invention includes allaforementioned functionalities with an addition of a device comprisingcarbon dioxide or CO2 powder or a water sprinkler which is activated bya spark or fire to extinguish sparks or flames inside of walls orcrawlspaces. An expanded embodiment of the present invention includesall aforementioned functionalities with an addition of a battery poweredrobotic roof walker that detects a scent or presence of leaking gas orcarbon monoxide from pipes which could trigger an explosion in or on theroof of the building.

The See Through Plastic Roofing Paper System provides an effective wayto pinpoint the exact location of a potentially destructive leak withoutany guesswork or major expense. The See Through Plastic Roofing PaperSystem detects a leak's origin in a matter of seconds, allowing forimmediate patching and fixing. With the standard kit, leaks areinstantly visible to one's naked eye and fixed right on the spot withprovided caulking and tools. The digitalized system is a state of theart system that detects developing problems and alerts homeownersthrough their iphone, laptop, tablet or existing alarm system.

Although this invention has been described with respect to specificembodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and variousmodifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skillin the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of theinvention as described therein taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings and the appended claim.

1. A roofing repair kit specifically configured to detect an exactlocation of a leak and provide an instantly accessible means ofcorrecting the problem, essentially as described herein.